Telephone-signal-operating device.



F. E. PHILLIPS.

TELEPHONE SIGNAL OPERATING DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 12. I912.

1,170,323. Patented Feb. 1, 1916.

WITNESSES [NVENT OR THE COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH c0., WASHINGTON. D. C.

1 1 11153 19 .YSTAEES BATENT GREE E -23 c?? E NEIGNA QEEB4PFNG Farrie fisaae t of Pete Eat-ae Application filed November 12,1912. SeriaLNo.739,335.

' comprismg an electric light disposed adjacent the telephone apparatus,such as atthe exterior of the telephone booth, which will beautomatically placed in circuit with a suitable source of electricenergy, as soon as the receiver is raised from the hook of the telephoneapparatus.

The principal object of my invention is to provide signal apparatuswhich may be placed into operative relation with existing telephoneapparatus to provide a signal whereby, when the telephone apparatus isin service, a suitable signal will be displayed for the purpose ofadvising other parties-desiring to use the telephone that the instrumentis in service.

A further object of my invention isto embody in connection withtheapparatus a circuit which will provide for the proper illumination ofthe signal, the wires of such circuit being remote from the telephoneapparatus. This is in contradistinction to apparatus already disclosedto the public wherein the switching means for the electric signal isnecessarily closely adjacentthe receiver and transmitting mechanism.

Further objects of my invention will appear in the following detaildescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, forminga part of this specification.

In the drawings, the device of my invention is schematically illustratedin the proper circuit connection.

The numeral 10 designates an ordinary telephone apparatus which includesa transmitter 11, a bracket and shelf 12 and 13 respectively, and areceiver hook and receiver 20 and 21, respectively. The telephoneapparatus is preferably of that type wherein the receiver hook ismounted on an arm, designated 19 in the drawing, and oscillatable abouta pivot point 18. This arm co-acts with a contact 15 in conductingcommunication with the transmitter mechanism and it is to be noted that,when the receiver 21 is heldby a hook 20, the circuit is broken at arm19 and contact 15. i

yThe shelf 13 supportssuitable batteries 14 placed-in series as by wires24, 25 and ,26. One pole of the battery is in conducting communicationwith the receiver as through wire 2 3,whilethe other pole of saidbattery is in conducting communication with one of the line wires asthrough lead 27 The other pole of thereceiver 21 is in conductingcommunication with the arm 19 as through wire 22. The transmitter isplaced in conducting communication with the other line wire as throughlead 17.

BatentedEeb. 1,1916.

An electro-magnetic device interposed in V the circuit of the receiverand transmitter such as by having conducting communlcation with theseries connection wires 25 and 26, comprises a base portion28 having apair of standards 29 positioned thereon and securedv in. place throughthe medium of pins 30. These standards support an oscillatable arm 32,as through screws 31. The arm 32 is normally held in a predeterminedposition through the medium of a coil spring-33, said springhavingconnectionwith the eye- .lets 34 on the standards 28 and on arm 32,

respectively.

An electro magnet 35 is positioned upon the base plate 28 and forcoaction with this electro-magnet is an armature 36 secured to .the arm32 asjby screw 37. "-The amplitude of oscillation of the arm 32 iscontrolled by means of screws 42 and-43' carried by the extension 41 ofa standard 39, secured to base 28 as by screw 40. It is to be noted thatthe spring 33 so acts upon arm 32 that it normally engages the set screw42 and by manipulati'on" of this set screw the arm can be so adjusted asto provide for successful operation of the electromagnet when energizedto draw the armatures toward the core 38 of the electromagnet.

The base 28 also carries two switch points 43 insulated one fromanother, while the arm 32 carries a bridge piece 45, preferablytriangular in shape, secured to the arm as by screw 46. It is to benoted that the switch points 43 are beveled as at 44 to accommodate thisbridge piece and that when the electro-magnet 35 is energized and drawsthe armature 36 toward its core 38, the bridge piece 45 brings theswitch point 43 into conducting communication.

The main line wires of an electric lighting circuit are designated by 49and in commumunication with the other line wire 49 as through wire 48.It is to be understood that the line wires 49 carry a current of suchvoltage as to successfully illuminate the light 50 when a current isconducted therethrough.

vVhen embodying apparatus constructed according to my invention inconnection with existing telephone apparatus, it is merely necessary toplace the electromagnetic device in circuit with the receiver and transmitter, which circuit is controlled by action of the receiver hook,thecircuit being completed when the receiver hook is relieved of the weightof the transmitter. The electromagnetic device may be disposed in closeproximity to the telephone apparatus or re mote therefrom as may bedesired. It is also to be noted that the line wires 49 may be re motefrom the telephone apparatus and in this way, conductors carrying acurrent of high voltage are not placed in close proXim-- ity to thetelephone apparatus.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows :As disclosed in thedrawing, the receiver is shown as having been ren'ioved from the hookand the receiver and transmitter circuit is completed. Inasmuch as theelectromagnet 85 is in circuit with the transmitter and receiver, it isenergized and the armature 36 is drawn toward its core 38. This actionbrings the bridge piece 45 into contact with the switch points 43 andconsequently a circuit is completed through light 50. Inasmuch as it iscontemplated to display this light at such a point as to give notice toprospective users of the telephone, it will serve its purpose as asignal so long as the receiver remains oflt the hook 20. As soon as thereceiver is replaced, the receiver and transmitter circuit is broken andconsequently the arm 32 is permitted to move responsive to spring 36breaking the circuit of light 50.

Changes in detail may be made without departing from the spirit or scopeof my invention; but,

I claim 1. In a signal system for telephones, the combination with atelephone apparatus including means for completing the receiver andtransmitter circuit only when the apparatus is brought into use foraudibly communicating, of an electric light, a light circuit, switchpoints connected in said light circuit and separated one from the otherto form a gap in said circuit, and means connected in the receiver andtransmitter circuit to become operative upon closing said receiver andtransmitter circuit to bridge the switch points and thus complete thelamp circuit.

2. In a signal system for telephones, the combination of a telephoneapparatus in cluding means for completing the receiver and transmittercircuit only when the apparatus is brought into use for audiblycommunicating, an electromagnet disposed in the said receiver andtransmitter circuit of said telephone apparatus, an armature for saidelectromagnet, a light circuit having a gap therein,switch pointsconnected in said circuit at the gap and separated one from the other, abridge piece connected with said armature adjacent the location of saidswitch points, and all of said parts so ar ranged that as the receiverand transmitter circuit is closed this current is passed through theelectromagnet and the bridge piece is brought to a relation to contactacross said switch points and complete the connection through the lampcircuit.

FRANK E. PHILLIPS.

Witnesses:

WV. J. STORER, LILLIAN B. SToRER.

Copies of this patent may b obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Eaten/cs.

Washington, D. G.

